Russia dismisses reports of prisoner swap with US

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday dismissed suggestions that an American arrested in Moscow on suspicion of spying could be used in a prisoner swap for a Russian held in the United States.

Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in Moscow last month on suspicion of espionage. Whelan's arrest raised speculation that he could be swapped for one of the Russians held in the U.S. such as gun rights activist Maria Butina, who has pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent in the U.S.

But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing that Whelan is accused of espionage and will face trial.

"At the current stage, there is no talk about any sort of exchange," she said, dismissing a possible swap as "speculations and fakes."

Zakharova also said Russia would allow diplomats from Britain, Ireland and Canada as well as the U.S. to visit Whelan, who holds four citizenships.

Yevgeny Yenikeyev, a prisoner rights activist, told the Interfax news agency he visited Moscow's Lefortovo Prison, where Whelan is being held. He said Whelan's cell was recently repaired and has hot water, a toilet and a TV.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Whelan family shows Paul Whelan in Iceland. Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov on Saturday Jan. 5, 2019, is brushing back suggestions that an American being held in Moscow on suspicion of spying could be exchanged for a Russian. Paul Whelan, who also holds Canadian, British and Irish citizenship was detained in late December. (Courtesy of the Whelan Family via AP)

But Yenikeyev said prison officials didn't let him or other activists see or talk to Whelan, saying that authorities said he doesn't speak Russian and they could not monitor a conversation in English. He said the activists will try to visit Whelan again.